Vernon Villa — Sat 10 Jan 2009

Match report

Half time: 0 – 0

Samba welcomed Vernon Villa to Burton Road for the return of the opening day fixture. The game was in doubt due to freezing conditions but the smaller Burton Road pitch passed a pitch inspection. Samba welcomed back Wilkinson, whilst Gibbons was forced to sit out with a rib injury. Samba struggled to get to grips with Villa in the opening exchanges as the away side swarmed all over Samba and penned them in their own half. The game was played at a frantic pace but exhibited little quality. It was Vernon Villa making all the running though and mayhem ensued in the Samba box when Nicholls dropped a cross and his kicked clearance rebounded straight off captain Wilford. Fortunately the ball was scrambled clear and the danger averted but Villa also went close with a couple of headers. Slowly Samba came more into the game without creating clear cut chances. Brunt had a snapshot over the ball and a Wilford free kick narrowly cleared the crossbar. Samba's best moment arrived after a poor clearance from the Villa keeper. Holloway attempted the lob and the ball found its way to Brewer who rushed the finish and dragged it wide. Samba battled on until half-time but it was obvious the second half was going to be an uphill battle.

The pattern of the second half was quickly established with Samba sitting deep and Villa trying to find a route through. The Villa keeper was a virtual spectator as the away side camped in Samba's half. There was real credit to Samba's fighting spirit as they battled and at times put their bodies on the line for the cause. When Villa did find a way through their finishing was wasteful but slowly Nicholls was called upon to make more and more important saves. The majority of Nicholls action involved him flinging myself at the forwards feet as they were through on goal but on a number of occasions his sharp reflexes were also fully tested. As the clock ticked on it looked like Samba would hold out for a hard earned point. When Villa hit the bar with a header it looked like being Samba's day. When Samba's defence, their keeper or the crossbar didn't come to their aid, Villa themselves rescued Samba in comedy fashion. Two members of the Villa team were through on goal and collided with one another, leaving the ball to harmlessly roll into Nicholls arms. Heartbreakingly for Samba with five minutes remaining, Villa broke the deadlock. Ironically the goal was scored when Samba had forced an attack, with a quick counter attack being Samba's undoing. Two minutes later Villa scored again as Samba's resovle was well and truly broken. It was another disappointing result for the Sandboys, not only because of the defeat but the manner of the defeat after so much energy and effort had been expended.